President Trump signs $2T coronavirus relief bill

President Donald Trump participates in a signing ceremony for a $2 trillion coronavirus relief bill in the Oval Office on Friday. Photo by Erin Schaff/UPI | License Photo

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi speaks during a signing ceremony after the House passed the $2.2 trillion CARES Act at the U.S. Capitol on Friday. Photo by Stefani Reynolds/UPI | License Photo

The stimulus bill, the largest in U.S history, provides economic bailouts to companies, independent contractors and includes direct payments to individuals as the U.S. suffers from the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo by Stefani Reynolds/UPI | License Photo

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi arrives Friday at the U.S. Capitol ahead of a vote on the Senate's substantial coronavirus relief package. Photo by Stefani Reynolds/UPI | License Photo

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi speaks during a signing ceremony after the House passed the $2.2 trillion CARES Act at the U.S. Capitol on Friday. Photo by Stefani Reynolds/UPI | License Photo

The economic stimulus package, the largest in U.S. history, provides bailouts to companies, independent contractors and includes direct payments to individuals as the United States suffers from the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo by Erin Schaff/UPI | License Photo

March 27 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump on Friday put his signature on a $2.3 trillion relief package to support Americans and the U.S. economy amid the coronavirus emergency.

The signing ceremony came hours after the House overwhelmingly passed the legislation. The Senate passed the bill Wednesday in a unanimous vote.

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"I want to thank Democrats and Republicans for coming together and putting America first," Trump said during the ceremony in the Oval Office.

"This is a very important day. I've signed the single biggest economic relief package in American history," he added.

The measure passed the House on Friday afternoon despite a threat from Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., to hold it up by requesting an in-person House vote amid widespread quarantine orders across the country.

The legislation -- the largest ever passed by the Senate -- provides direct payments of $1,200 to Americans who earn $75,000 or less and $2,400 to married couples who earn $150,000 or less. Those who earn above those thresholds will receive gradually smaller amounts, with individuals who make $99,000 or more and couples who make $198,000 or more receiving nothing. Those with children will receive $500 for each child.

It also creates a small business loan program, a fund for industries and a fund for states and localities whose coffers have been depleted.

"We ensured that the federal government has the resources and tools [the American people] need ... and we will be watching President Trump minute by minute to make sure he and his administration do it right," he said.

The leadership of both parties had been planning to approve the package on a voice vote, since it has broad bipartisan support. That meant that not all voting members needed to be physically present to vote at the U.S. Capitol and a quorum need not be in the chamber.

"The Senate did some voodoo just like with Obamacare. Took a House bill dealing with taxes, stripped every word, and put their bill in it," Massie tweeted Thursday. "It's the House's job to reject the process.

"Not a good deal."

Trump criticized Massie for potentially holding up passage of the measure, calling him "a third rate Grandstander."

"Workers and small businesses need money now in order to survive," he tweeted. "Throw Massie out of Republican Party!"

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer's office urged Democrats late Thursday to return to Washington for the possibility of a roll call vote.

Once debate began Friday, the House spent hours debating the bill, during which lawmakers of both parties said it's important to funnel relief quickly to Americans in crisis.

"America is fighting a war on two fronts -- a public health crisis, and an economic crisis," said Rep. Bryan Steil, R-Wis., "and while far from perfect, the [bill] provides much-needed relief -- testing, supplies for hospitals, protections for workers' paychecks, and assistance for those who lost their jobs."

"As many have said this bill is far from perfect, but let's be clear about one thing: the American people need relief now," added Rep. Joe Neguse of Colorado. "Not tomorrow, not next week or next month, but now."

There were about 50 House members present in the chamber as debate began, far short of a quorum.

Pandemic empties streets, public spaces around the world

Playground equipment is closed off to children to help stop the spread of COVID-19 at a park in Takoma Park, Md., on April 15. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

Pedestrians cross a quiet Brooklyn Bridge in New York City on April 15. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

Few automobiles move up the FDR Drive at the end of the day in New York City. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

Archbishop of Washington Wilton Daniel Gregory (C) holds Easter mass to a virtual congregation at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., on April 12. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

Few tourists are seen at Dotonbori shopping quarters in Osaka, Japan, on April 4. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo

Visitors are scarce in Chinatown in Kobe, Hyogo prefecture, Japan on April 4. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo

A man walks in an empty arrivals hall in the Ben Gurion Airport in Lod, Israel, near Tel Aviv, on April 1. Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI | License Photo

Sparse traffic passes a sign of the times on Interstate 465 in Indianapolis on April 1. Photo by Edwin Locke/UPI | License Photo

Park benches are sectioned off to the public on the National Mall April 1 as the Washington, D.C. government issues a stay at home order. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

North Capitol Street leading to the U.S. Capitol is nearly empty. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

A field hospital is ready to take sick patients in Central Park in New York City on April 1. The tents are located along the East Meadow near Mount Sinai Hospital and are being used as an overflow medical center. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

A pedestrian crosses California Street in San Francisco on March 29. Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo

A Palestinian wears a protective mask outside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, closed because of the coronavirus restrictions, in Jerusalem's Old City on March 28. The Israeli government has imposed tight restrictions of movement, leaving only essential stores open in an effort to stop the spread of the virus. Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI | License Photo

The streets of downtown London are near empty after Prime Minister Boris Johnson imposed a national lockdown on March 27. Johnson has tested positive for the coronavirus. Photo by Hugo Philpott/UPI | License Photo

A view down an empty Las Vegas Boulevard. Photo by James Atoa/UPI | License Photo

The street is empty in front of the Wynn Las Vegas and Encore hotels during the coronavirus shutdown of the Strip in Las Vegas on March 26. Photo by James Atoa/UPI | License Photo

Pedestrians walk in an uncrowded Central Park in New York City on March 26. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

A couple of lone pedestrians cross Madison Avenue during rush hour in New York City. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

A child rides a scooter on the empty plaza in front of the U.S. Supreme Court after the coronavirus pandemic forced the high court to postpone arguments, in Washington, D.C on March 26. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

The normally busy lunchtime area of Kiener Plaza is all but empty in St. Louis, Mo., on March 25. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo

In a rare moment, no cars or people are seen in one of the San Francisco's premier tourist sites, the Golden Gate Bridge, on March 25. Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo

A pedestrian wearing a protective mask crosses a Manhattan street near the George Washington Bridge in New York City on March 24. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

Only a couple of beachgoers are found along Zuma Beach in Malibu, Calif., on March 23. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

A couple walks through the deserted Third Street mall in Santa Monica, Calif., on March 23. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

The normally packed Crown Candy Kitchen is empty at lunchtime in St. Louis on March 23. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo

A woman crosses Seventh Avenue as it rains in a near empty Times Square in New York City on March 23. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

No lines at Union Station as the coronavirus brings train travel to a near stop in Washington, D.C., on March 23. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

No visitors are at the Lincoln Memorial on March 23 after Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser stopped vehicle access to the National Mall and closed pedestrian access to the cherry blossoms. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

A normally bustling First Street is eerily quiet in the Little Tokyo section of Los Angeles on March 22. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

A homeless encampment in the shadow of Los Angeles City Hall on March 22 is vacant after the city moved 6,000 homeless people into 42 recreation centers. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

The United Artists Theatre offers a whimsical missive on its marquee in downtown Los Angeles on March 22. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

The 110 Harbor Freeway in downtown Los Angeles on March 22, a Sunday afternoon, a time when traffic would normally be heavier. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

Grant Avenue in San Francisco's Chinatown is almost empty on March 22. Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo

The normally full parking lot at the 55-store Hagerstown Premium Outlets in Hagerstown, Md., is empty as the business complex is closed due to the coronavirus response on March 22. Photo by Pat Benic/UPI | License Photo

Two students walk down the long stairwell in front of Brookings Administration Building at Washington University in St. Louis on March 19. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo

Very light traffic is seen from the Red Line Train at San Francisco International Airport on March 19. Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo

A man wears a protective mask in a scarcely populated bus station in central Tel Aviv on March 16. Photo by Abir Sultan/EPA-EFE

The Beverly Center mall in Los Angeles is empty of customers on March 18. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

Tourist areas of Los Angeles are empty on March 18, including the original Farmers Market. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

The Hollywood and Highland Center on March 18. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

Historic Olvera Street sits empty in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic on March 18. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

The Hollywood Casino is empty of cars after closing in Maryland Heights, Mo., on March 18. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo

The morning rush hour in Times Square in New York City see little pedestrian traffic on March 18. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

Military personnel disinfect streets in Santiago de Compostela, Spain, on March 18. Photo by Lavandeira Jr/EPA-EFE

The U.S. Capitol Rotunda stands empty in Washington, D.C. on March 17. Photo by Tasos Katopodis/UPI | License Photo

Very few travelers fill the floors at Newark International Airport in Newark, N.J. on March 16. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

A lone person walks through departures at Narita International Airport in Chiba prefecture, Japan on March 16. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo

Signs reminding riders of proper hygiene and other steps to help combat the spread of the coronavirus are seen at the Farragut West Metro Station in Washington, D.C., on March 16. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

Commuters walk in a near empty Grand Central Station Terminal between 7:30 and 8 a.m. March 16 in New York City. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

Streets and sidewalks remain empty during rush hour on March 16 in the central business district of Beijing. Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo

Public health warnings are on display on roads and bus stops in Beijing on March 16. Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo

"Closed" signs are seen at check-in counters at Tokyo International Airport on March 15. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo

A lone package of toilet paper sits on the shelf at a Target store in Medina, Ohio on March 15. Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI | License Photo

The office of Sen. Maria Cantwell of Washington state is closed on March 12 in Washington, D.C. Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI | License Photo

The courtyard in front of the chapel sits vacant at lunchtime on the usually bustling Stanford University campus in Palo Alto, Calif. on March 10. Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo

A man stands outside on an empty shopping center sidewalk in New Rochelle, N.Y. on March 10. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

An interior view of the nearly empty Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II arcades in Milan, Italy, on March 8. Photo by Matteo Corner/EPA-EFE

A street in Seoul's Namdaemun market, a popular tourist destination, is nearly empty on March 4. Photo by Thomas Maresca/UPI | License Photo

A restaurant in Seoul's Namdaemun market is completely empty on March 4. Photo by Thomas Maresca/UPI | License Photo

A normally thriving tourist district has been closed, except to those with a special permit, due to the threat of spreading the deadly coronavirus in Beijing on March 5. Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo

Tokyo Disney has no visitors in Urayasu, Chiba-Prefecture, Japan on February 29. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo

Few passengers are seen at Tokyo Disney station in Urayasu, Chiba-Prefecture, Japan on February 29. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo

A subway platorm is nearly empty in Daegu, South Korea on February 21. Photo by Thomas Maresca/UPI | License Photo

A worker wears a protective face mask in a closed park in Beijing on February 13. Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo

A main train station remains quiet as Chinese are allowed to return to the capital after a lengthened Lunar New Year holiday due to the threat of spreading the deadly coronavirus in Beijing on February 10. Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo

One of the capital's main subway stations is nearly empty during a normally busy rush hour in Beijing on February 6. Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo

The Forbidden City, as well as other popular tourist destinations, have been closed as the Chinese government takes steps to counter the spread of coronavirus in Beijing on January 26. Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo